articles/Fashion/rollingwiththebigdogpart5-page1

Rolling With The BIG Dog Part 5 - part 1 of 1 2 3

by Damian McGillicuddy Published 01/04/2010

One of the privileges of being a 'Fellow' in the photographic profession is that, if desired, one can find a platform to speak with the really interesting part of this wonderful profession, the newcomers and those dedicated to improving their craft.

I want to start this instalment of 'Rolling' by telling you a short, real life, story that happened to me recently - it may 'drop' a few pennies.

I was talking to a guy, let's call him 'Bob' who had recently (within the last 6 months) bought a DSLR and 'got into' photography. He was talking to me about Society membership, training, equipment, etc. He even showed me some of his recent triumphs, in print format. I made a mental note to myself to explore the possibility that shots up people's noses, distorted limbs, poor composition, married to crap posing and non- existing lighting control... indeed snaps that don't necessarily flatter the subject, had a legitimate, cash-rich market?

Good old 'Bobby' obviously did, as he told me he was seriously thinking of opening a studio! For the LOVE OF GOD!!! I asked him what he did for a living now? He was a PROFESSIONAL IT guy, working for 'Blue chip' companies.

I got REALLY excited about that and tripping over my own words, hurried to tell him that I had once plugged a network cable in and on several occasions plugged in numerous external hard drives to a Mac... And they'd worked! When I asked him did he think I had what it took to open a IT business he took in a sharp breath, looked pinched in the face turned his back and walked off...'guess not then ;0)

Now please don't get me wrong, I would never crush anybodies dreams, I assist many in achieving their own photographic goals, but in the words of Peter Griffin, what he was saying was 'really grinding my gears'.

Ask yourself this...why are Gordon McGowan, Keith Thompson, Stuart Bebb, my lovely Yerbury friends and people like this so good at what they do?

It's VERY simple; not only have we all been doing 'it' for one hundred and thirty-eight years, but we actively put time, effort and money into continually developing our craft! Ask yourself again why do people like

• Rolling With The BIG Dog Part 5 page 1
  
• Rolling With The BIG Dog Part 5 page 2
  
• Rolling With The BIG Dog Part 5 page 3
  

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